Two New Vegan and Vegetarian Cookbooks Featured on NPR

I'm loving NPR's stories on two new veg*n cookbooks that are out in stores.  One is a graphic novel called Dirt Candy, about a couple who started their own restaurant, and the other is The Inspired Vegan, a follow up to Bryant Terry's 2009 book, Vegan Soul Kitchen.

New Iberia Research Chimps Heading to New Sanctuary

Some good news for our closest relatives. 

Link: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/12/post-22.html

Trapped Wolves Being Humiliated and Shot at Close Range in Northern Wisconsin

Very difficult to watch, but important to know about and take action on.

Link: http://wiwildlifeethic.org/2012/11/18/more-wisconsin-wolf-torture-labeled-as-comedy-by-the-killers-action-needed/

First Case of CWD Found in Deer in SE Wisconsin

Chronic Wasting Disease, a neurological disease similar to Mad Cow Disease, has been showing up more and more in Wisconsin. Now the disease has been found for the first time in South East Wisconsin - in Racine County.

Link: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/251629/group/homepage/

Animal Research Ethics at UW-Madison

An ongoing Forum on Animal Research Ethics (FARE) recently held an open discussion at University of Wisconsin-Madison.  In light of the University's unfortunate movement towards restarting research focusing on maternal deprivation with monkeys, I wanted to attend the event.  I wasn't able to, however, so I will list some of my questions and concerns here in hope that some of the stakeholders might read them.

• I wonder if there might be a possibility of opening some of these labs to community inspections/visits? 
• I would also like to see if there has ever been a cost benefit analysis done on animal research at UW?
• I would also like to know what can be done with computer modeling - is it possible that animal research will be made redundant by it in the future?
• Some of the tens of thousands of animals which are housed at the UW are quite dangerous due to what they are being tested on/with. Does the university have an emergency plan for how to deal with animals under its control should a natural disaster or terrorist attack occur?

More information FARE: http://www.science.wisc.edu/events-forum-on-animal-research-ethics.htm

Learn more about Maternal Deprivation experiments: http://www.allanimals.org/maternal-deprivation.html

Hundreds of Negative Comments Prompt Wisconsin DNR to Expand No Hunting Areas

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's plan to expand hunting into state parks has met massive push back from the public and the Department of Natural Resources is now being forced to change their plans.  Of about 2,000 public comments which were collected through past Friday, only about 84 were in support of DNR plans.

Link: http://host.madison.com/news/local/plan-expands-no-hunting-areas/article_4cb42a3c-4191-11e2-9dd3-0019bb2963f4.html?comment_form=true

The Dalai Lama's Recent Statements on Vegetarianism

At a conference held in India yesterday hosted by HSI (Humane Society International), which was also attended by Anil Kapoor and Pritish Nandythe, the Dalai Lama explained his own history of eating meat and made statements in favor of vegetarianism and opposing factory farming.  According to a blog post by Wayne Purcell, who is the Executive Director of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the Dalai Lama is reported to have said that:

"...he condemned factory farming, and specifically the rearing of hens in battery cages. He said that being vegetarian is better for us and better for animals, and that South Indian vegetarian food is his favorite cuisine. Throughout his entire speech and in the question and answer session that followed, he wore a Humane Society International baseball cap, which delighted me even though it clashed with his Buddhist monastic robe.”

This is obviously a HUGE endorsement for the choosing to go vegetarian!  It's easy to do... if you need help, visit http://features.peta.org/vegetarianstarterkit/ for recipes and other information.

Link: http://hsus.typepad.com/wayne/2012/11/launch-of-hsi-india-draws-big-names-and-big-goals-for-animals.html

UW-Madison to host Forum on Animal Research Ethics Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. at Union South

Please consider attending this free and open forum on animal research ethics at UW-Madison's Union South on Wednesday, December 5th, at 7 p.m.  Light refreshments will be provided.

The purpose of these forums is as follows:

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Forum on Animal Research Ethics (FARE) is committed to providing opportunities for the community, including citizens, students, and researchers to engage in a dialogue about the ethics and outcomes of the use of animals in research.

Link: http://www.science.wisc.edu/events-forum-on-animal-research-ethics.htm

Madison Wisconsin May Require Veg Options at Food Carts

The idea behind the proposal is to support public health and environmental sustainability through requiring food carts to offer at least one vegetarian option that operate in the city.

Link:  http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/city-might-require-food-carts-to-offer-vegetarian-items/article_fcb49668-22d0-11e2-85fd-0019bb2963f4.html

Wisconsin Man Sentenced for Illegally Killing South Dakota Buffalo

Joseph Wilmet, 42, of Green Bay, shot, killed, and partially butchered a Buffalo in the Badlands National Park in South Dakota.  He has been sentenced to probation, given a $5,000 fine, and ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution for the November, 2010, killing.

Link: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/wisconsin-man-sentenced-for-illegally-shooting-s-d-buffalo/article_8d038224-17aa-11e2-944f-0019bb2963f4.html

Mercy for Animals Releases undercover Burger King dairy supplier footage

This video may be too difficult for some people to watch, but it is important that the word gets out because these harmless animals are being treated with extreme cruelty.  This type of abuse happens every day in America, and unless people speak out and do something about it, it will not stop.  Part of speaking out is showing people what is happening - otherwise it would probably be unbelievable.

Watch with caution - there are images of extreme animal abuse.


To learn how to stop these acts, visit: http://vegansaurus.com/post/33309236260

Costa Rica Moves to Ban Hunting for Sport

If the proposed measure is passed, all sport hunting will be banned, in what would be a first for a Latin American country.

Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/03/us-costarica-hunting-idUSBRE89205X20121003

Bruce Springsteen is a Vegetarian

Bruce Springsteen is 'mostly' vegetarian, and is in excellent health as he approaches his 63rd birthday.

Link: http://www.examiner.com/article/bruce-springsteen-turns-63-his-age-defying-diet-and-workout-secrets

PBS NewsHour: Shrimp Exporters in Thailand Exploiting Workers

It's a fact that the most dangerous, underpaid, and low-status jobs in the world are in food production - with an emphasis on danger for workers in producing animal products.  Here's an interesting story to check out if you still are eating shrimp.  The U.S., for example, imports 250,000 pounds of shrimp from Thailand a year.

Link: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/july-dec12/thaishrimp_09-20.html

Lori Gruen, feminist, philosopher, and ethicist to speak about Animal Rights at UW-Madison TONIGHT (Fri. Sept. 14)

"In light of her most recent book, Ethics and Animals: An Introduction, Lori Gruen will be presenting at Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery.

Lori Gruen has been involved in animal issues as a writer, teacher, and activist for over 25 years. Her relationships with scholars thinking about animals, activists working to protect animals, and, perhaps most importantly, with many different animals, uniquely inform her perspective on how we need to rethink our engagement with other animals."

Link:  http://www.science.wisc.edu/events-forum-on-animal-research-ethics.htm

McDonalds to Open First All-Vegetarian Restaurant

The shop, which McDonalds says it is their first non-meat restaurant, will be opened in northern India.

Yuck.

Link:  http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2012/09/04/mcdonalds-to-open-veggie-only-restaurant-in-india/

Swine Flu Hits Wisconsin

Sadly, just as Republicans have attacked nearly every sector of our public health and safety infrastructure (including the political appointment of a Texan with no public health degree to run the Dept. of Health Services public health office) - Wisconsin now has swine flu.  Scale things back more, and I'm sure that the result will be more of these outbreaks.

Link:  http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/health_med_fit/state-swine-flu-cases-now-at-linked-to-pigs-at/article_974982b0-f2d4-11e1-964f-0019bb2963f4.html

Federal Judge in Kansas Quashes PETA Film Showing at State Fair

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and PETA have lost a free speech lawsuit demanding the ability to show slaughterhouse and factory farm conditions in a 15 minute film narrated by Sir Paul McCartney at the Kansas State Fair.

Kansas had argued that showing the footage would be akin to showing war footage or aborted babies.

Really?  I thought we considered animals to be different from humans.

Here is the film in its entirety - what is Kansas really trying to hide?


http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL2E8K49T820120904

Vegan Tattoos

Good thing to know if you are vegan and are considering getting a tattoo - they are not necessarily vegan.  Read the link below about what makes a tattoo vegan or not, and where you can get one in the Bay Area!

Ask a Vegansaur: Vol. 07: Where can you get a vegan tattoo in the Bay Area?

Fear of death is worse than death itself

UW-Madison to Resume Decompression Testing of Sheep

UW-Madison researchers have received clearance to move ahead with decompression testing on sheep despite the fact that it is illegal under state law, due to a waiver.  This practice, which involves torture and extreme cruelty by any definition, is being done to improve submarine escapes and rescue operations for people. Notably, decompression tests were done on concentration camp victims by the Nazi's during WWII.

To send a letter to the Dane County District Attorney expressing your concern over this practice, visit http://www.allanimals.org/sheep.html

To read more about the new developments:  http://m.host.madison.com/ct/news/local/education/campus_connection/campus-connection-uw-eyes-resuming-decompression-sickness-studies-with-sheep/article_87a02b66-dc22-11e1-bfe8-0019bb2963f4.html

U.S. to End Ban Against Slaughtering of Horses

Foodies in the U.S. can rejoice:  now there's one more thing to kill and eat!

Link:  http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-07-11/news/sns-rt-us-usa-horsesbre86a1gt-20120711_1_unified-equine-horse-slaughter-missouri-equine-council

Mink Production Breaks a Million in Wisconsin for 2011

Wisconsin is the #1 producer of mink pelts in the United States.  Maybe we should rename ourselves as the Mink State, rather than the Dairy State, since it's well known that California out-produces Wisconsin in dairy products...

Link: http://gazettextra.com/weblogs/latest-news/2012/jul/12/wisconsin-mink-production-19-percent-last-year/

1,000 Dairy Calves Die due to Heat in Wisconsin

Will the responsible farmers be charged with cruelty to animals for the death of these calves?  I don't think so.

It's ironic that farmers have so been so negligent about calf deaths while they are at the same time arguing that Wisconsin's wolf population be culled due to (very rare) wolf attacks.

Link:  http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/heat-wave-kills-more-than-1000-dairy-calves-9h66soj-163251676.html

Beef Industry Forces Retraction in USDA Employee Newsletter

The U.S. Department of Agriculture was only trying to encourage employees to take part in Meatless Mondays, a project of the Johns Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Monday Campaigns, Inc.

Not so fast, said the cattle industry.  Complaints were received and employees will no longer receive encouragement to eat less meat, even though it has been linked to higher death rates (even in small amounts) as well as causing environmental harms.

The newsletter can be read in its entirety here.

Link:  http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/07/26/meat-industry-has-beef-with-meatless-monday-forces-usda-to-retract-newsletter-plug/

Sociologist Looking for Veg*n Dads to Interview

A scientist at the University of Florida (Gainsville) is looking for vegan and vegetarian dads (kids must be under 24) to interview for a study he's doing.  Respondents will receive $30 for 1-2 hours of time.

Link: http://arzone.ning.com/forum/topics/an-important-research-opportunity

Advertising Dollars Spent on Promoting vs. Avoiding Meat

Interesting post on pro-meat vs. anti-meat advertising in dollar terms from Vegansaurus.com

This is a chart of the amount of advertising companies that sell...:
This is a chart of the amount of advertising companies that sell meat products buy versus the amount of advertising anti-meat-industry organizations buy. It was put together by Harish of Counting Animals, using publicly available information (SEC filings, IRS filings, ad-to-sales ratios).

No More Dolphins at the Minnesota Zoo

The Minnesota Zoo has decided to no longer have a dolphin exhibit.  Switzerland has done the same on a national level.  I hope more zoos make this decision, since dolphins should not live in captivity, period.

http://www.startribune.com/local/south/151394175.html

Chronic Wasting Disease Spreads to Northern Wisconsin, Doubles in Prevalence in past 10 Years

Wisconsin's solution to controlling deer overpopulation and disease has always been to support more hunting - longer hunting seasons with more harvesting allowed.  However, that might be the problem.  I'm not a wildlife biologist, but I don't see any other wild animal which is native to Wisconsin as out of control as the deer population - which number in the hundreds of thousands of deer killed annually.  Might they actually consider fewer hunting permits issued?  Or is that too unpopular with the gun, ammo, and hunting industries?

Link:  http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/deer-with-chronic-wasting-disease-came-from-up-north-dnr-says-4i5adar-150464095.html

340-pound Defensive Lineman, Deuce Lutui, is Vegan

I don't know if this is a first or not, but I have read in the news today that Lutui, the Tongo-born professional athlete who plays football for the Seattle Seahawks, is vegan.

Link: http://blog.seahawks.com/2012/05/07/meet-deuce-lutui-vegan/

Vegan Cooking for Carnivores

A new book is out by Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's personal chef, Roberto Martin, called Vegan Cooking for Carnivores.  If you love meat, but want to eat healthier or less dependent on animals, check out some of these recipes using meat substitutes.

Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1609412427/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=vegancom&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1609412427

Is Veganism Reaching a Critical Mass?

I'm loving that veganism is getting so much attention, but is it a passing fad or a trend that is reaching a critical mass?  Honestly, I'm not sure.  I don't know many people who have made the switch to a vegan diet outside of people in the vegetarian Meetup group that I occasionally go to.  But if the number of articles about veganism are any indicator of the increasing number of vegans, I think there's a lot of promise that we may be reaching the point where veganism truly is a mainstream, and not a fad, dietary and lifestyle choice.  Here's a link to a recent blog post from the New York Times on the ethics of veganism.

Link: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/16/the-challenge-of-going-vegan/

Public Hearings on Wisconsin Proposal to Hunt Sandhill Cranes

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources hearings will be held tomorrow, April 9th, around the state to take public comments on legislation that permits hunting of Sandhill Cranes.  If you live in Wisconsin, please attend these hearings and let the DNR know how you feel.  Here are the locations: http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/host.madison.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/7e/d7ed5280-80e5-11e1-aef3-0019bb2963f4/4f80922083c21.pdf.pdf

Link:  http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/environment/public-gets-chance-to-sound-off-on-crane-hunt-at/article_7b0b16fc-80c6-11e1-90ac-0019bb2963f4.html

Poultry Routinely Fed Arsenic, Tylenol, and Banned Antibiotics

This shouldn't come as a surprise, but researchers at Johns Hopkins University have been 'floored' by two studies showing widespread use of banned substances in poultry production.

Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/05/opinion/kristof-arsenic-in-our-chicken.html?hp

USDA to Stop Inspections of Chickens

The US Department of Agriculture is going to allow chicken processing plants to regulate themselves and increase production rates.  Many say this will increase safety and ethical issues.

Link:  http://gawker.com/5899455/its-official-thats-poop-in-your-tasty-chicken-dinner

Chronic Wasting Disease Found in Northwest Wisconsin

In what will be a devastating finding for the 'sport' of hunting in Wisconsin, Chronic Wasting Disease has been found in deer outside the area that officials had thought it had been contained to for the first time.  CWD, as it is also known, is similar to Mad Cow Disease, and is a threat to human health, causing death or neurological problems.

http://centralwisconsinhub.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20120403/WDH0101/204030561/Chronic-wasting-disease-found-in-northwest-Wis-deer?odyssey=tab%7Cmostpopular%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

More Primate Abuse

Several new cases of animal abuse brought at a federally funded research facility for primates.

Link:  http://www.bastropenterprise.com/newsnow/x1184537285/Primate-deaths-the-focus-of-animal-rights-group

Cows Experience Joy, Have Personalities

It is stunning that despite the fact that 90% of dairy cows end up as hamburger, many vegetarians continue to eat dairy products thinking that they are not supporting a cruel and unnecessary industry.  In addition to the almost total population being sent to slaughter once their milking days are over, it is now becoming clear that cows have their own personalities (see this link for to a recent study in the Netherlands) and experience a variety of feelings, including joy (see the video below of cows going out to pasture after a long winter indoors).  For an in-depth look at why there is more suffering in a pound of cheese than in a pound of beef see this link: http://freefromharm.org/animal-cruelty-investigation/new-expose-shows-why-there-is-more-suffering-in-a-pound-of-cheese-than-a-pound-of-meat/

Reply to a Christian (@wdeaver) Reply to Eating Animals

I think it's pretty ironic that a Christian would write an article about how judgmental vegans are.  

I mean, seriously, what are you trying to prove?  That the living will of an all-powerful, all-good, supernatural being is possibly debatable by us mere mortals?

God forbid!  I mean, how can I ever dispute the infinite wisdom of the Bible - yes, the very same bible that provides us with an infinite variety of rules of behavior.  Thou shalt do this, and don't do that.  Yes, I get it.  The Bible knows all.

Which is why science and reason have no place in determining the health or well-being of anything, let alone the animals that God supposedly told someone that belong to us to dominate and subject to our every will.  Lord knows humans are good at determining what is just and right when it comes to killing.

Okay, okay, I digress.  But you see what I'm getting at?  Ethics and morals don't come from the Bible or from God.

Far be it from me to say exactly where values come from - that's territory rational people know that they can't claim.  But that's something you should know already, right?  You have a minor in philosophy after all.

We can have debates about this and that, but at the end of the day there's still such a thing as empiricism.  Ignoring science you risk living with blinders on, just as you say I might live with blinders on as an atheist.  But that is my choice, and you cannot choose to refute science and ethics.  I mean, you can, but you do so at the risk of writing really stupid things in newspapers owned by the billionaire founder of the Unification Church.

The bottom line is that even if your Bible-based arguments weren't ridiculous enough by themselves, you went a step further into fake journalism by suggesting animal rights has been on 'the radar' for 'a few years.'  Do you live in a cave?

Link: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/deaver-drive/2012/mar/22/christian-reply-animal-rights/

Red Meat Linked to Heart Disease and Cancer: Duh!

A large study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine journal shows a substantial relationship between the consumption of red meat and incidence of heart disease and cancer.  I propose an immediate cessation of serving this food to children and food stamp recipients, among others, plus increased taxes and regulation on its production and sale.

Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/mar/12/red-meat-death-heart-cancer

Hooray! U.S. Meat Consumption In Decline

This is good news for animals - beef, poultry, and pork consumption has been in decline for several years.   It is still too high, but at least the trend is heading downward.

Link: http://www.earth-policy.org/data_highlights/2012/highlights25

70% of Ground Beef in U.S. Contains Pink Slime

Up to 70% of ground beef in the United States contains 'pink slime' a beef by-product which includes fat and other animal trimmings that are not technically meat treated with ammonia.  McDonald's has already indicated a willingness to stop using beef treated in this way, and I expect other food service providers to follow.  The Apparently a US Department of Agriculture official named JoAnne Smith received kick-backs in the form of a high-paying board position with BPI, the producer of pink slime.  The USDA has refused to stop using the product in the the United States' nationwide school lunch program.  Bottom line, if meat was not already gross, it now has a great new name to describe it.



Link: http://www.thedaily.com/page/2012/03/05/030512-news-pink-slime-1-3/

Iowa to Pass Nation's First Ag Gag Bill

Under the new law, Iowa's House and Senate have indicated that they will not tolerate exposure of abuses or other offenses in its agricultural industries including animal and crop facilities.  The industry has been vulnerable to several undercover and investigative stories primarily related to the treatment and protection of animals by agricultural workers.  These investigations have led to several lawsuits, criminal charges, and other sanctions against agricultural entities from around the United States.  The Iowa law is intended to have a chilling effect on the investigations. Similar so-called 'ag gag' laws have been defeated in Florida and Minnesota primarily on first amendment grounds.  It is not clear how soon Iowa's law, once signed, will be tested on constitutional grounds.  The law is greatly flawed, and is sure to meet extensive opposition not only from the animal rights community, but also from food safety, environmental, and civil rights advocates.  While the law precludes the entry to agricultural facilities under false pretenses, it does not prevent currently employed people from becoming whistle-blowers or from documenting crimes and sharing them with the public.

Link: http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/03/iowa-approves-nations-first-ag-gag-law/

Cargill Heiress Donates $6 billion to Animal Rights, Art, Environmental Causes

Heiress Margaret Anne Cargill has bequeathed $6 billion (!) to foundations and organizations that support environmental causes, disaster relief, animal welfare and arts education.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-02-28/cargill-heiress-leaves-6-billion-to-support-art-animal-rights.html

NC Ag Official Keeps Job Despite Pleading Guilty to Obstructing Justice

North Carolina's top consumer health and animal welfare official, a veterniarian named Dr. Sarah Jean Mason, was recently charged with leaking information to the Butterball corporation that the company was being investigated for animal cruelty charges in which ultimately six people were arrested on multiple felonies, and for lying to investigators.  Mason was given a suspended 45 day jail sentence and a year of probation, but amazingly she is keeping her job and license.

Link:  http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/02/16/1858488/state-official-admits-impeding.html

Report from ABC Channel 7 (WLS-TV) in Chicago 'Growing up Vegan'

Here's a very positive and interesting story from ABC News Channel 7 in Chicago about families who are raising vegan children.

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/special_segments&id=8560764

Pork Centric Restaurant to Open on Madison's East Side

Wisconsinites apparently love their meat as much as they love their cheese.  A new restaurant set to open on the hip near east side of Madison has a pork-centric menu.  While the restaurant's aim to focus on purchasing its menu items from small-scale, local farms is a good idea, they will certainly not have any vegans dining there.  But since this is Madison, they probably will find plenty of other people willing to go there to eat, "nose-to-tail pork (feet, belly, jowls and ears), rabbit, lamb and venison, as well as seafood (from smelt to octopus)."

Link: http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=36022

Corporate Shill Richard Berman's Attack on the Humane Society

A short advertisement attacking the Humane Society of the United States was dropped during the Oscars last night.  It was paid for by the right-wing, pro-business shell organization called the Center for Consumer Freedom.  This organization receives money from all kinds of big business groups and specifically targets nonprofits who promote things like healthy diets, animal welfare, or stopping global warming.  Of course the center's biggest supporters are industrial agriculture groups which are pro-meat, pro-processed foods, and pro-corn syrup (among other icky things).

Link:  http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/02/27/432747/corporate-front-group-buys-attack-on-humane-society-during-oscar-broadcast/?mobile=nc

Disturbing Use of Animals at Madison Museum of Contemporary Art

I found the art installation, The Erich Weiss Suite by Matthew Barney (see Björk), utilizing Jacobin Pigeons in a room barren of of anything except for their own feces, a shrine to Harry Houdini, and a glass coffin, to be sadistic and cruel.  The pigeons are left to wander the room while people gawk at them through a glass door - their feces are allowed to collect without being cleaned for three months (Note: I am not sure exactly what is being cleaned or how often, but several blogs and newspaper articles on the exhibit refer to the 'accumulation' of feces during the installation - which is what I am referring to).

Here's a photo:

In a previous work, Cremaster 5, he uses pigeons in a film in which they are tied to the artists genitals by ribbons, so in my opinion Barney has some conflicted feelings about the appropriate care and use of 'theatrical animals.'  In the Weiss Suite tribute, I would not be surprised if the use of the pigeons is in violation of local animal care codes - but in any case, it is in extremely poor taste and shows a disdain for the rights and quality of life all in the name of 'art.'

The piece is part of the Harry Houdini exhibit at Madison's Museum of Contemporary Art which runs through February 11 through May 13.

Mark Bittman to speak at Madison's Green Day Event Apr. 21

This is great news for the local vegan and vegetarian community. Lord
knows we need all the help we can get.

Link:
www.thedailypage.com%2Fdaily%2Frss.php?hl=en&c=CLiBjv_Hpa4C&i=-8346472207966
969273&n=1

50,000 Hens in Animal Factory Left for Dead in California

This is the type of thing that gets brushed under the rug with regard to eggs and dairy.   In short, treating animals as commodities and not having enforceable animal cruelty laws will continue to allow this sort of thing to happen.  Of the 50,000 abandoned animals, one third were found to be dead after two weeks of the neglect.  Another third are due to be euthanized.  Can you imagine the inside of this 'farm?'

Link:  http://www.fox40.com/news/headlines/ktxl-crews-clean-up-chickens-left-for-dead-at-abandoned-farm-20120222,0,6273354.story

19th Century Vegetarians Were Proto-Vegans

The Vegetarian Society, whose roots are in England in the 1800's, had a very forward thinking president named Francis Newman who nearly changed the history of vegetarianism by suggesting that people who ate eggs and drank milk were only 'partial vegetarians.'  This was, of course, before there was the word 'vegan.'  Vegetarian Society supporters did not go along with Newman's ideas, however, and that's why modern day vegetarians eat dairy - rather than abstaining, like Newman would have them do.

Link:  http://www.vegsource.com/john-davis/prof-francis-w-newman-and-the-attempted-vegan-revolution-of-1871.html

Lack of Empathy Related to Low Intelligence?

This opinion article by Paula Moore at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) suggests that the same studies that look at empathy and intelligence might also be applied to specieism.  A problem with her argument is that even if one believes that empathy and intelligence can be objectively measured, one also must prove that they they are indeed positive traits.  Perhaps evolution is not dependent on compassion or intelligence - but is, rather, built upon ability to compete and survive no matter the cost to other species or individuals.

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/02/20/4276954/are-speciesists-stupid.html

Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson Response to Battery Cage Letter

I wrote Senator Ron Johnson recently urging him to support federal legislation banning battery cages for laying hens as well as gestation crates for sows.  His response:  This is something that should be left up to states and localities to deal with.

I'm reprinting his letter to me in full.  Note the typos and wording - it looks like it's written by a college student.

Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding the treatment of animals. Animals are an important part of many people's lives and families. Animals often provide companionship and happiness to their owners. Trained dogs can provide services for people with disabilities, guard our homes and even perform heroic feats. 

I agree that we should work to protect animals from cruelty and animal safety efforts must be approached sensibly. I believe that private organizations and non-profits are in the best position to continue efforts to protect animal. Organizations such as the Humane Society of America and the American Society for the Prevention and Cruelty of Animals (ASPCA). should be applauded for their accomplishments In addition to private organizations and non-profits, I believe that state and local governments are best equipped to handle animal related issues, they are closest to each situation in addition to having flexibility to meet their community's needs. As animal issues come before the Senate floor regarding federal policy, I will certainly keep your views in mind. 

Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts. It is important for me to hear the views and concerns of the people I serve. Since taking office, I have received over 400,000 pieces of correspondence and have had over 180,000 participants in live forums and telephone town hall meetings. Please feel free to contact me in the future if I can further assist you or your family. It is an honor representing you and the good people of Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate. 

Sincerely, 

Ron Johnson 

United States Senator

NC Animal Health Official Leaks Info to Turkey Industry Workers During FBI Investigation

The doctor in question, however, has somehow managed to keep her job even though employees at Butterball, the company she tried to protect, are facing multiple felonies for animal cruelty.

Link:  http://vegan.com/blog/2012/02/15/five-butterball-employees-charged-with-animal-cruelty/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+vegandotcomrss+%28Vegan.com+Blog%29

Street Dogs of South Central Los Angeles

This trailer reminds me of the packs of dogs I've seen in Ukraine.

That New PETA Ad is Awful

The title of this post is probably not the first or last time you'll hear it from me.  But this particular one, which I will not link to because I might actually give it more hits or whatever, is really bad.  Domestic and sexual abuse is not cool, and neither is portraying it in a satirical way.  The ad is offensive and PETA should apologize.

New York Times Editors Back Battery Cage Ban

It's great that there are people willing to take a stand for chickens.  It's the right thing to do.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/15/opinion/more-humane-egg-production.html

Scientists Confused by Mass Dolphin Deaths

You know, this sort of thing does not surprise me at all.  Humankind changes the climate, spews radiation and other waste into the environment at will, and has very little regard for the animal kingdom.  Then... as if by accident, people get all freaked out when animals die en masse.  I don't think we give animals much choice.

Link:  http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/02/marine-experts-flummoxed-by-mass-dolphin-strandings.html

New Website Will Calculate Animal Lives Saved by Going Veg

This website is a very in depth look at the direct benefits to animals resulting from not eating them.

Link: http://www.countinganimals.com/how-many-animals-does-a-vegetarian-save/

McDonald's to Require Suppliers to Phase Out Gestation Crates for Sows

This is extremely good news for people as well as the animals they eat.  Gestation crates are a mechanical and barbaric way to treat an animal.

Link: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/13/omg-mcdonalds-does-the-right-thing/

Wisconsin Assembly to Consider Bipartisan 'Windchill Law' Protecting Domestic and Farm Animals

This is great news for Wisconsin's pets and other non-wild animals.  I hope that there are provisions for wild animals as well, but I'll bet it will be harder to agree on the provisions with pro-hunting groups.

Link: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/222535/

Oshkosh Teen Beats Puppy to Death With Baseball Bat, Receives 6 Months in Jail plus 3 years Probation

Tragically, this is just one of a string of animal cruelty stories in the Oshkosh area.

Link: http://allanimalsblog.org/2012/02/09/puppy-beating-sentence/

Great TEDx Talk from Wayne Pacelle on Factory Farming

Nicholas Hermes Avoids Prison in 2009 Wisconsin Deer Torture and Killing Case

Nicholas Hermes will avoid prison, but gets 3 years of probation, $3,000 in fines, and 6 months jail-time for his involvement in the random killing and torturing several deer with his snowmobile in 2009.  A co-defendant, Rory Kuenzi, has also been sentenced to 11 years in prison for the killings, while a third, Robbie Kuenzi, awaits a jury trial in April.

Link: http://www.rivertowns.net/event/article/id/35197/publisher_ID/13/

Speak Out Against Dane County Trapping on Wed. Feb. 8 Hearing

Trapping is not necessary, nor humane. Please go to Room 357 City County Building at 201 Martin Luther King Blvd. at 5:15 p.m. and join others like the Alliance for Animals to speak out against trapping in our county's parks.

Mother Jones: Most Chickens Crates Never Sanitized

A study described in Mother Jones tells that 80% of chicken farmers do not ever sanitize the crates used to haul the animals from the farms they were raised on to the slaughterhouse.  With 8 billion chickens a year raised for meat in the U.S. alone, that's a lot of fecal matter that is covering our roadways, the environment, and the chickens themselves.

Link:  http://motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2012/01/poultry-industrys-latest-dirty-secret

PETA Offers to Help Wisconsin's Struggling Mustard Museum With Sexy Ad

PETA is long known to use racy and borderline sexist ads to get people's attention.  Check out the ad and make up your own mind.  I don't think it's too bad.

Link: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/peta-offers-a-helping-hand-to-struggling-mustard-museum-with/article_63646f5c-4e0e-11e1-afdf-001871e3ce6c.html

Another Miserable Groundhog Day for Punxsutawney Phil

Imagine how happy you'd be being paraded in front of cameras and screaming kids after being kept in a cage in a freaking library the other 364 days out of the year.   Our amusement should not be the justification for continuing a cruel or unfair tradition, no matter how old.  Even if you accept this cruel and sad existence for this poor animal, the folklore-based predictions of the famous weather forecasting groundhog are only 39% accurate (Link).  That alone should have people questioning what is so cool about this fake holiday.

Hearing on Wolf Hunting in Wisconsin Wednesday in Madison

Wisconsin is considering a hunting season which could kill half of its wolf population of 800 to 1,000 animals.  Anyone wishing to speak out against this bill should attend the hearing at the Capitol in Madison at 9:30 a.m. in Room 417 North, on Wednesday, February 1st.  Voters should also consider contacting their elected representatives.

Link:  http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/hearing-at-capitol-to-address-wolf-hunting-season/article_2a66ca64-4c66-11e1-90c0-001871e3ce6c.html

Wisconsin Bill to Allow Hunting of Wolves - Hearing Scheduled for February 1st

A hearing for AB-502, which allows hunting  has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison. It will take place at 9:30 am in 417-N.  Please attend if you can to let the Bill's sponsors hear loud and clear that hunting wolves is cruel and unnecessary.

Source: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/138232274.html

Alliance for Animals Vegan Outreach Coordinator Hannah West on 'Wake Up Wisconsin'

Kudos to Hannah and the crew at Alliance for Animals, as well as WKOW channel 27, for representing the vegan lifestyle to the larger community.  The message that veganism is healthy as well as cruelty-free is something that everyone should know. They are having a vegan meetup for drinks and food at the Great Dane Brewpub (the one at Hilldale Mall) from 6:30-9:00 p.m. this Tuesday, January 31st.



Link: http://www.wkow.com/story/16622451/eating-vegan-in-madison

New School Lunch Regulations Require More Fruits and Veggies

With two vegetarian children in the public school system, it is disappointing to me to see how meat-centered school lunches are despite the fact that meat has known health hazards (whereas fruit and vegetables have none).  I am pleased that the new USDA school lunch regulations double the servings of fruits and vegetables, and ensure that food includes more variety and better quality.

Link:  http://yourlife.usatoday.com/fitness-food/diet-nutrition/story/2012-01-25/Government-requires-more-fruits-veggies-for-school-lunches/52779404/1

Animal Rights Win: Florida Throws Out 'Ag Gag' Bill

The controversial law thrown out in Florida yesterday would have made it a crime to take photos of any farm where animals were kept without permission, and was intended to stifle reports of animal cruelty.

Source: http://floridaindependent.com/66223/animal-rights-groups-relieved-legislature-threw-out-ag-gag

Wisconsin Hunters and Fishermen Take Over Public Lands, Dept of Natural Resources

The Republican-controlled Wisconsin legislature has recently passed a law requiring three of the seven-member public board governing the state's Department of Natural Resources, effectively disenfranchising a large segment of Wisconsin's population from taking part in decision-making about our natural environment.  In addition, the legislature is pushing ahead with a bill to end limits on trapping and bagging of wildlife in state and county parks - so that trappers will be able to kill any number of wild animals.  Trapping is an extremely cruel form of hunting, resulting in the maiming and slow deaths of millions of formerly wild and free animals.

More about trapping: http://www.peta.org/issues/Animals-Used-for-Clothing/inside-the-fur-industry-trapping-maims-and-kills-animals.aspx

About the Wisconsin laws being passed: http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/column/patricia-randolph-s-madravenspeak-legislation-would-further-the-slavery-of/article_7a42fe64-d1d6-5a2f-83ae-e9a0714e5527.html

Please Tell Your Legislators to Support the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012

From the Humane Society of the United States:

Congress is now considering legislation (H.R. 3798) that would improve the lives of hundreds of millions of egg-laying hens in our country—and you can help! The Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012 would phase-in significantly more space plus environmental enrichments for these birds, as well as ban starvation molting and give consumers more information about production methods right on the egg carton (e.g., labeling “eggs from caged hens” and “eggs from cage-free hens”).

Please visit the Humane Society's form to easily contact your legislators and urge them to support H.R. 3798.  http://goo.gl/z3KBb

Supreme Court Sides with Downer Meat

In what the Humane Society of the United States is calling a 'deeply troubling decision,' the U.S. Supreme Court has sided with the pork industry and struck down California's law which previously prevented the buying, selling and slaughtering of downer cattle, pigs, sheep and goats.  A downer animal is an animal that is too sick to stand on its own.   Now meat from these sick animals will be legally allowed into the nation's food supply.

Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/US-Supreme-Court-blocks-Calif-slaughterhouse-law-2675100.php#ixzz1kKkyeUz4

Harvard: Limit Dairy and Red Meat, Avoid Bacon and Processed Meat

Harvard's School of Public Health is working to shoot down the notion that milk is a health drink, let alone one that we should include in our daily diets at all.  Harvard recommends that people who choose to drink milk drink it as little as possible, and its take on the US Department of Agriculture's recommended nutrition guidelines is to not consider dairy to be a 'food group' at all.  Well done, Harvard!

Link:  http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/images/healthy-eating-plate-460.jpg

Public Invited to Attend Meeting on Banning Elephants in Circuses

Ever thought about what life is like for a circus elephant? Would you like to learn more?

The Alliance for Animals is hosting a public forum on circuses on Monday, January 9, 2012, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Pinney Branch Madison Public Library, 204 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, WI.

Link: http://allanimalsblog.org/2012/01/03/banning-circus-elephants-in-dane-county-pinney-library-monday-jan-9/